GUWAHATI, May 17: The Central government’s newly approved Shillong-Silchar expressway in Assam will serve as a critical component of a larger multi-modal transport network aimed at connecting Northeast India to maritime trade routes through Myanmar, effectively bypassing Bangladesh.
The 166.8-km high-speed, four-lane expressway, sanctioned for ₹22,864 crore, will run from Mawlyngkhung near Shillong to Panchgram near Silchar along National Highway 6 (NH-6). The ambitious project is being implemented by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and is targeted for completion by 2030.
This expressway is set to integrate with the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, an initiative funded by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The Kaladan corridor begins at the Kolkata Port, connecting to Myanmar’s Sittwe Port via sea. From there, it travels inland through Paletwa and links to India at Zorinpui in Mizoram. NHIDCL plans to extend this link further into India via Lawngtlai and Aizawl, weaving together an extensive sea-road corridor to deepen connectivity in the Northeast.
Officials describe the infrastructure as a transformative development for the region. It will significantly boost connectivity to key northeastern states including Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, and the Barak Valley region of Assam. Beyond transport, the project is also a strategic cornerstone of India’s Act East Policy, aimed at enhancing trade and geopolitical engagement with Southeast Asia.
Currently, the Siliguri Corridor remains the sole reliable land connection between the Northeast and the rest of mainland India. The Shillong-Silchar expressway, once operational, will reduce travel time between the two cities from the current 8.5 hours to just 5 hours, offering a much-needed alternative route.
Constructing the expressway through the region’s challenging hilly terrain will require sophisticated engineering solutions such as slope stabilization, landslide forecasting, and geotechnical assessments. NHIDCL will utilize advanced technologies including LiDAR surveys and geological sensors to ensure long-term safety and sustainability.
The expressway, to be built under the Hybrid Annuity Model, will feature 19 major bridges, 153 minor bridges, 326 culverts, 22 underpasses, 26 overpasses, 8 limited-height subways, and 34 viaducts.
Strategically, the new corridor provides India with a direct sea route to the Northeast, mitigating dependency on Bangladesh. The move is seen as a counter to recent remarks made by Bangladesh’s interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, who asserted that Dhaka is the region’s “only guardian of the ocean.” In response, Indian authorities have accelerated efforts to build infrastructure that reinforces self-reliance and strategic autonomy.
The Kaladan corridor and the Shillong-Silchar expressway together represent a decisive push to enhance national security, economic connectivity, and regional integration, positioning the Northeast as a vital gateway between India and Southeast Asia.
